Town Budget Decisions on Sidewalks and Ambulance Delayed Until January 17
by Nancy Wood,
January 12, 2012.....

The Selectboard has delayed decisions on several issues until a special meeting next Tuesday night, January 17, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall, when the board expects to approve the FY2013 municipal budget to be voted at Town Meeting. Other articles for the Town Meeting warning will also be finalized on January 17.

Sidewalks
The Selectboard is leaning toward asking the voters to approve the first phase of sidewalk construction in the west village, either as a line item in the Highway Budget or as a separate article in the Warning. The Sidewalk Committee recommended a section along the north side of Ferry Road from the Old Brick Store to the Little Garden Market, with crosswalks at the Post Office and Library. The committee will provide a revision of the original proposal on January 17 that addresses concerns about narrowing Ferry Road by the Old Brick Store and problems that could be caused by curbs in that area. The new cost will be less than the original $85,000 estimate.

Ambulance
Fire & Rescue Services needs a new ambulance to replace the one bought in 2006 that is frequently out of service because of mechanical problems. For back up, a used vehicle is being purchased from South Burlington by the department, using its special funds rather than town funds. Replacing the engine of the 2006 ambulance will cost about $20,000, but needs to be done for it to be usable and sellable. With the new engine and the backup ambulance, it may not be necessary to move up the date of purchase of a new vehicle, now scheduled for 2014 at a cost of $185,000. The Selectboard is waiting for an updated estimate of the 2012 Grand List before deciding how much to ask the voters to approve for the Fire Rescue Capital Reserve Fund.

Conservation Fund
Despite a request by the Conservation Fund Board for at least a small amount to be included in the FY2013 budget, the Selectboard decided to include zero dollars again this year. Up until FY2012, the Town approved 2 cents on the tax rate for the fund. Chair Charles Russell pointed out that the fund has over $700,000 in it now, and there are no major projects in the works for this year.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The draft budget as of January 9 includes $30,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the same as for the current year.

Repair and Maintenance Fund
The board is proposing to increase the contribution to this fund from $10,000 to $50,000. The Town Hall in particular needs repairs, painting and general upkeep. The board is also discussing creating a Capital Reserve Fund, which would provide resources for future needs, like new roofs on the Library and Town Hall and highway projects. If the fund is approved, the Selectboard would develop a long-term capital plan.

Traffic Enforcement
The $40,000 budgeted for this year has not generated much additional revenue, and the Shelburne Police have not been available as many hours as expected. The Selectboard is reducing the anticipated revenue for FY2013 to $15,000 and the expense to $22,000.

Dogs - The board approved a contract with Comfort Hill Kennel in Vergennes to provide a place to take problem dogs that need to be confined. There is an annual cost to the town of $600. A $30 per day fee to hold the animal is paid by the dog owner.

Conservation Commission requested $4,700 for wetland delineation for Town Farm Bay and volunteer coordinators and project management for frogbit remediation efforts and water sampling in the Thorp/Kimball and Homes/Pringle watersheds. Board member Winslow Ladue said there are state grants for this type of work and has provided application forms to the commission.

Recreation Committee asked for $3,000 to help cover the costs of changes at the Town Beach to meet ADA requirements. The board decided that the work needs to be done this year, and there is already money in the Recreation Reserve Fund to cover it.

Employee Health Insurance
The board has approved a dental plan and new health insurance plan for town employees. The budgeted increase in cost is $20,671, but the actual cost could be less based on average usage estimates of 65% of deductibles.

The Bottom Line
If the Selectboard decides to ask for $186,000 for the Fire Rescue Capital Fund (about 2 cents on the tax rate) and $80,000 for sidewalks, the total budget would be just under $2.9 million – an increase of $187,000 from last year. However, the tax rate would be lower than last year due to an increase in rents at Thompson’s Point that takes effect this spring. The board expects a surplus of about $245,000 at the end of this fiscal year due to the rent increase, and the higher rents will provide additional revenue in subsequent years.

Other January 9 actions
The board denied a request by Michael and Karen Frost to be reimbursed a $500 filing fee they paid to appeal a decision by the Zoning Administrator about lighting at the Old Lantern on Greenbush Road. The Frosts won the appeal and believe they should be reimbursed because the decision was a mistake. The board did not want to set a precedent and pointed out that the fees are set to cover the costs of the process. Chair Charles Russell, on the other hand, indicated the fee had been raised from $250 to $500 to discourage frivolous appeals, and may be higher than actual costs.
The board approved an agreement with the Department of Corrections for a trial work day with women inmates at the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge.
At the request of Sylvia Knight, the board is sending a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding use of herbicides at the VELCO substation.